The
game of Cribbage affords the opportunity for socialization and the potential
for developing the skill of strategic plays. The game was invented in
the 1600s. Sir John Suckling is credited with establishing the rules
of the game as well as spreading the game throughout England.
A
novel feature of this game is that a Cribbage board is used for score
keeping. This is a rectangular wooden board equipped with holes. Pegs
are placed in the applicable holes to track the scores. The use of the
board speeds up the scoring process while reducing the risks for errors
in computing scores. The game is fast-paced.
Cribbage
is usually played by two people; however, the game can be played by
two or three people. Even four people can play, with two people being
partners and playing against the other two people which are also partners.
In
addition to the Cribbage board and pegs a pack of standard 52 playing
cards is used. The object of the game is to score 121 points (there
are times that the players agree that the game ends when a player reaches
61).
The
rank and value of the cards is as follows:
K (King), Q (Queen), J (Jack), and 10 all have a value of 10.
Cards 2 – 9 have face value and the A (Ace) has a value of 1.
The Jokers are discarded.
The
Draw. Determining which player will deal the first hand is usually
done in a very organized fashion. The shuffled pack of cards are placed
face down. Each player cuts a card, ensuring that he has left at least
four cards at either end of the pack. If both players happen to cut
cards of the same rank each will draw again. The player with the lower
card deals the first hand. The dealing is then alternated going clockwise.
If a second game is played the loser of the first game will deal first.
The dealer has the option of shuffling last and he presents the cards
to the non-dealer for the cut before dealing.
The
Shuffle. It is the dealer’s job to shuffle the cards. Then, after
a mandatory cut by the non-dealer (pone), the dealer gives one card
(face down) alternately to each player. The dealing begins with the
pone. The dealing ends when each player has a total of six cards.
The
Crib. Each player should look at his cards and determine which two
they will contribute to the crib. The dealer may want to place quality
cards in the crib and the pone may choose to do the opposite. The crib
belongs to the dealer; however, these cards are not exposed or used
until after the hands have been played.
The
Cut. The non-dealer (pone) will now cut the remainder of the pack
in order to select a starter card. After the pone cuts the pack the
dealer will turn up the top card of the lower packet – then place it
face up on top of the pack. The starter card is used in counting the
value of each player’s hand as well as the crib. If the starter card
is a jack it is called “His heels” or “Two for his heels” and the dealer
scores (pegs) 2 points. The starter card is not used during the play
phase of the game, but it is used later for making various card combinations
that will score points.
The
Play. After the starter card is turned up the plays begin. The non-dealer
will lay one of his cards face up on the table. Next the dealer will
do the same. This will continue as the cumulative value of the cards
played is announced as each card is played. If a player cannot play
a card without the cumulative total exceeding 31, that player must call
“go”. At that time the opponent will peg 1 and will continue to play
all cards possible (without exceeding 31). If the player reaches exactly
31 he will peg two instead of one for the called “go”. The player that
calls “go” will play first in the next 31-count sequence. The dealer
is sure to peg at least one point in every hand. He will have a “go”
on the last card if not earlier. After all cards are played the pone’s
hand is counted and pegged by the pone and the dealer counts and pegs
his hand and then for the crib. The deal will alternate between the
players until the game ends (when a player scores 121 points).
